Cheshire gunning for title double

By Neil Goulding (Cheshire CCC press officer 07813 859986)

CHESHIRE are gunning to end their impressive season with more silverware.

This season's Western Division champions lock horns with Eastern Division champions Northumberland in this year's four-day Minor Counties Championship final at Jesmond Cricket Club between 9-12 September.

And despite losing to Suffolk by 35 runs in this year's MCCA Knockout Trophy at Lord's last week, the county are confident of winning a memorable title-double.

"We were really disappointed to lose to Suffolk at Lords, but we've got to bounce back from that defeat and make sure we don't waste a great season," said Cheshire skipper Andy Hall.

"Northumberland are a strong side, but we haven't been beaten in the Championship this season - and we don't want to end the season with a defeat."

Cheshire last reached the Championship final in 2005 where, after a rain-interrupted three-day match at Ransomes Cricket Club, they shared the then three-day title with Suffolk.

Former Derbyshire trio Nathan Dumelow, Ben Spendlove and Chris Bassano have all been selected, but there is no room for former Yorkshire and Glamorgan player Ismail Dawood. The Urmston batsman has been unavailable for most of this season.

It is also not yet known whether Cheshire will add Nantwich all-rounder Oliver Sadler to their squad as cover with all-rounder Jason Whittaker unavailable for the end of season crunch clash.

Cheshire team: Andy Hall (captain), Matthew Dawson (wicketkeeper, Bramhall); Chris Finegan (Neston); Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall); Nathan Dumelow, Ben Spendlove, Chris Bassano, Danny Leech (Oulton Park); James Duffy, Danny Woods (Hyde); Adam Syddall (Bowdon). 12th man: Chris Davis (Oxton).